Will Arsenal finish above Chelsea in the WSL and why does it matter?

"Arsenal now need just a draw against Liverpool to secure second, sitting two points ahead of Chelsea, with a superior goal difference of 14. With both sides already guaranteed European football next season, why does the order between second and third matter? From the 2025/26 season, the Women’s Champions League adopted a new League Phase format, replacing the group stage and mirroring the men’s competition."

"The League Phase will include 18 teams, with qualification determined by domestic league performance and UEFA coefficients. England are currently top of the coefficient rankings, so the WSL is allocated three places. However, only the league champions this season, Manchester City, qualify automatically for the League Phase. That leaves Arsenal and Chelsea heading into qualification."

"The key difference: second vs third While both second and third place enter the same qualification league path, their starting points are very different. Second place enters in the third qualifying round. Third place enters in the second qualifying round. The earlier entry for third place creates a much tougher route."

"Third place must first navigate a mini-tournament, winning a semi-final and final, just to reach the next stage. Only then do they face a two-legged play-off against another European opponent - winning that, secures them Champions League football. Second place skips that initial hurdle and goes straight into the final qualifying round."

Arsenal’s late win over Everton moved them above Chelsea into second place in the Women’s Super League. A draw against Liverpool would secure second, leaving Arsenal two points ahead of Chelsea with a goal difference advantage of 14. Both clubs are already guaranteed European football next season, but the order between second and third affects Women’s Champions League qualification. From 2025/26, the Women’s Champions League uses an 18-team League Phase with qualification based on domestic league performance and UEFA coefficients. England’s top coefficient ranking gives the WSL three places, but only the league champions qualify automatically. Second and third then enter different qualifying rounds: second starts in the third qualifying round, while third starts in the second qualifying round and must win a mini-tournament before a two-legged play-off.

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